Metcalfe Landcare Group is one of many community Landcare groups that formed in central Victoria as part of the wider Landcare movement that took off across Australia in the late 1980s and 1990s. Based around the small rural community of Metcalfe on the Coliban River, the group focuses on an area of about 7,700 hectares that includes the Cascades, a well‑known stretch of river where water flows over large granite boulders and rock pools, popular for swimming and picnics.

The group emerged in response to local concerns about land degradation, weeds and the health of the Coliban River and surrounding farmland. Early efforts concentrated on supporting landholders with practical on‑ground works such as weed control, revegetation and erosion management, often using shared equipment like a spray trailer and making the most of small grants and in‑kind support. Over time, Metcalfe Landcare built a membership of around 50 people, reflecting a mix of farmers, tree‑changers and long‑term residents committed to improving the local environment.

As the group matured, its work expanded beyond individual properties to include public land and visible community assets. Metcalfe Landcare has put particular emphasis on improving the health of the Coliban River at the Cascades by removing invasive weeds and re‑establishing native vegetation to stabilise banks, enhance habitat and protect water quality. The group has also collaborated with Mount Alexander Shire Council on roadside weed control and broader landscape projects, contributing to habitat corridors and wildlife shelter across the district.

Community education and connection have always been central to the group’s identity. Metcalfe Landcare has hosted field days, tree‑planting events and social gatherings that bring landholders and neighbours together to share knowledge and celebrate local landscapes. Partnerships with organisations such as Landcare Victoria Inc., the Upper Campaspe Landcare Network and Connecting Country have linked the group into regional efforts, training and support, helping it access funding and technical advice for on‑ground projects.

Today, Metcalfe Landcare continues this tradition of practical stewardship and community engagement. The group remains focused on caring for the Coliban River, tackling weeds, restoring native vegetation and supporting sustainable land management across its catchment, while also taking on new projects that reflect emerging priorities and the skills of newer members. In doing so, it carries forward a decades‑long Landcare ethos: local people working together to look after the land they share.